Chapter 3 The Weight Of Secrets

Kaitlyn sat on the couch, phone still in her hand, heart thudding in her chest like a warning drum. The call had been brief, but the voice-deep, calm, and somehow knowing-clung to her like fog.

He knew her name.

He was expecting her.

She couldn't explain why, but it didn't feel like a threat. It felt... inevitable.

The apartment was still quiet. Andrew hadn't returned. She glanced at the clock on the wall-11:23 PM. The salon had been barely surviving. Who was getting their hair done at this hour?

Sighing, she set her phone down and wandered into the kitchen to make tea. As the kettle heated, she replayed the bar scene in her head: the man, the envelope, the invitation.

Could this be her chance to fix everything?

The kettle whistled sharply, making her jump. She poured the water, added the tea bag, and brought the mug back to the couch.

Just as she settled in, her phone buzzed again.

*Unknown number.*

Her pulse spiked. She picked it up quickly-no voice call this time. Just a message.

*"Tell your husband he has until Friday to pay back what he owes, or the consequences will fall on both of you. No excuses."*

Her hands trembled.

What?

She stared at the screen, rereading the message. Then another message came in seconds later.

*"We don't care who you are. If you're tied to him, you pay too."*

She dropped the phone onto the coffee table like it was on fire. Her tea went cold in her hands.

Andrew... what had he done?

Her mind raced. She had no idea he'd borrowed money-from who? For what? Had he mentioned needing a loan? Not once. But now, somehow, she was in the crosshairs too.

She stared at the door, suddenly desperate for him to walk through it and explain everything.

At 11:52 PM, the doorknob jiggled. Andrew entered, his face flushed and irritated.

"Still up?" he asked, locking the door behind him.

"I was waiting for you," she said tightly. "We need to talk."

He sighed and dropped his bag on the floor, kicking off his shoes. "Look, if it's about this morning, I'm not in the mood-"

"It's not," she cut him off. "I got an invitation today. From someone named Jay Roberts."

Andrew froze. "Who?"

"You heard me." She stood and retrieved the envelope, placing it gently in his hands. "It was delivered to the bar. One of his people handed it to me. And then... I got a call."

Andrew opened the envelope and read the card. His brow furrowed. "What the hell is this supposed to mean?"

"I think he's offering me an opportunity," she said softly. "To come to his estate. Just me. No plus one."

"And you're actually considering this?" he asked, voice rising. "You don't even know this guy!"

"No, but I know we're drowning, Andrew," she snapped. "The bills, the rent-your salon is collapsing. I'm working two jobs, and it's still not enough."

He set the Invitation down, frustration hardening his features. "You think going to some party thrown by a billionaire is the answer? You think that's going to fix our lives?"

Her eyes narrowed. "You took out a loan, didn't you?"

Andrew looked up, startled.

She nodded slowly. "I got a message. Someone threatening me about your debt. Said if you don't pay by Friday, we're both in trouble."

He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her eyes. "It was supposed to be a small loan. Just to help keep the salon afloat. I didn't think they'd come after you."

"You didn't think," she hissed. "You didn't tell me. You risked everything without even talking to me."

"I didn't want to worry you," he muttered.

"Well, I'm worried now," she snapped. "And I'm going to that party."

Andrew stared at her. "Kaitlyn, we don't know these people. You think rich guys hand out invites to random women for nothing? There's always a catch."

"I'll decide what the catch is when I get there."

"Kaitlyn-"

"No," she interrupted. "I'm going. If there's even a *chance* this could help us, I have to take it."

Silence fell between them. Andrew sat on the edge of the couch, shoulders slumped. He looked tired. Beaten. Small.

"You're not the only one carrying this marriage, Andrew," she whispered. "But I can't carry secrets too."

He didn't respond.

She turned away, walking toward the bedroom. As she closed the door behind her, her heart thudded painfully. The world was shifting around her-and whether Andrew approved or not, she had already taken her first step toward something bigger.

As she tossed the invitation onto the dresser, her phone buzzed again.

Another unknown message.

*"Wear red."*